Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine最新文献

Antemortem serodiagnosis of aspergillosis remains challenging in Sphenisciformes. Protein electrophoresis, serology (antibody, antigen) by ELISA, and gliotoxin detection provide variable diagnostic value. In the present study, a commercially available Western blot (WB) validated for use in humans and dolphins was adapted for use with penguin samples. Using the same method and reagents, samples were analyzed from multiple institutions in the United States and one facility in France. This was inclusive of normal juvenile African penguins (Spheniscus demersus, n = 10) and various species of penguins in the United States with confirmed infection (n = 9) as well as 52 samples from Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) in France. Cumulative WB scores (based on reactivity to different antigens) were found to be significantly higher in the group of penguins with confirmed infection (p < 0.0001). Significant differences were also observed between the clinically normal penguins in the two populations, with higher scores in the United States (median score 1.0, 95%CI [0-5], min 0, max 11) compared to France (median score 0,95%CI [0-0], min 0, max 5). The utilization of the WB as a diagnostic tool is inconclusive due to the use of samples from varying institutions, environmental background, age, and stages of infection. However, this tool may provide an overview of antigen reactivity in penguins infected with Aspergillus to help design a more robust serology assay and further understand the humoral immune response during infection.

The wild rhinoceros populations have declined drastically in the past decades because the rhinoceros are heavily hunted for their horns. Zoological institutions aim to conserve rhinoceros populations in captivity, but one of the challenges of ex situ conservation is to provide food sources that resemble those available in the wild. Considering that the mammalian gut microbiota is a pivotal player in their host's health, the gut microbiota of rhinoceros may also play a role in the bioavailability of nutrients. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the fecal microbiome composition of grazing white rhinoceros (WR; Ceratotherium simum) and greater one-horned rhinoceros (GOHR; Rhinoceros unicornis) as well as the browsing black rhinoceros (BR; Diceros bicornis) kept in European zoos. Over the course of 1 yr, 166 fecal samples in total were collected from 9 BR (n = 39), 10 GOHR (n = 56), and 14 WR (n = 71) from 23 zoological institutions. The bacterial composition in the samples was determined using 16S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing. The fecal microbiomes of rhinoceros clustered by species, with BR clustering more distantly from GOHR and WR. Furthermore, the data report clustering of rhinoceros microbiota according to individual rhinoceros and institutional origin, showing that zoological institutions play a significant role in shaping the gut microbiome of rhinoceros species. In addition, BR exhibit a relatively higher microbial diversity than GOHR and WR. BR seem more susceptible to microbial gut changes and appear to have a more diverse microbiome composition among individuals than GOHR and WR. These data expand on the role of gut microbes and can provide baseline data for continued efforts in rhinoceros conservation and health status.

The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a ciconiiform species widely represented in zoological institutions. Plasma protein electrophoresis is widely used in avian patients for assessment of inflammatory conditions, but reference intervals for this testing modality are lacking for the white stork. The two main electrophoretic methods are agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). This study assessed fresh plasma samples of healthy adult white storks (n = 30). Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate agreement between AGE and CZE. Typical electrophoretic fractions were obtained from both methods (prealbumin, albumin, α₁, α₂, β, γ₁, and γ₂). The AGE and CZE methods were not equivalent for determining major electrophoretic fractions (except β-globulins) and albumin:globulin ratio on plasma samples. An additional prealbumin fraction was seen with CZE. Reference intervals were established for each method as the smallest n group was 27 individuals for a given value; most values had normal distribution, and robust or parametric methods were used on the data.

Through collaborative efforts, One Health partners have responded to outbreaks of COVID-19 among animals, including those in human care at zoos. Zoos have been faced with numerous challenges, including the susceptibility of many mammalian species, and therefore the need to heighten biosecurity measures rapidly. Robust One Health collaborations already exist in Arizona to address endemic and emerging zoonoses, but these have rarely included zoos. The pandemic shed light on this, and Arizona subsequently expanded its SARS-CoV-2 surveillance efforts to include zoo animals. Testing and epidemiologic support was provided to expedite the detection of and response to zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 infection in zoo animals, as well as to understand possible transmission events. Resulting from this program, SARS-CoV-2 was detected from a rectal swab collected from an 8-yr-old squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) from a zoo in Southern Arizona. The animal had rapidly become ill with nonrespiratory symptoms and died in July 2022. Genomic sequencing from the swab revealed mutations consistent with the Omicron (BA.2) lineage. An epidemiologic investigation identified an animal caretaker in close proximity to the affected squirrel monkey who tested positive for COVID-19 the same day the squirrel monkey died. Critical One Health partners provided support to the zoo through engagement of local, state, and federal agencies. Necropsy and pathologic evaluation showed significant necrotizing colitis; the overall clinical and histopathological findings did not implicate SARS-CoV-2 infection alone as a causal or contributing factor in the squirrel monkey's illness and death. This report documents the first identification of SARS-CoV-2 in a squirrel monkey and highlights a successful and timely One Health investigation conducted through multisectoral collaboration.

Lymphoproliferative neoplasia has been reported in both free-ranging sea otters and those in managed care, but little information is available on the management of this neoplastic disease in this species. This case series describes clinical lymphoma in four northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in managed care. Two otters presented with Stage 5 lymphoma with evidence of hematologic spread resulting in leukemia. Two additional otters presented with Stage 3 disease. Immunophenotypes in these cases included disseminated large B-cell lymphoma and lymphoblastic lymphoma of potential T-cell origin. Cases were managed with multiagent chemotherapy protocols including prednisone, L-asparaginase, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, cytosine arabinoside, lomustine, and doxorubicin. Unique approaches included the use of a vascular access port in one case and development of an autologous vaccine in another. Survival time ranged from 81 to 409 days. Diagnosis, staging, and treatment with multiagent protocols is recommended for the management of lymphoma in sea otters.

Black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi ssp.) are endangered in Mexico. Safe anesthetic protocols are important for in situ and ex situ conservation problems. Such protocols are scarce in the literature; nor have safety and physiologic responses been reported. High doses and volume are a counter side for field immobilizations. We tested an anesthetic protocol with a combination of tiletamine-zolazepam (5 mg/kg) plus xylazine (1 mg/kg) in 14 black-handed spider monkeys under human care from two facilities in Mexico. Physiological parameters such as HR, RR, T, SPO₂, systolic arterial pressure (), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and median arterial pressure (MAP) were obtained. HR and RR decreased over time, but T increased significantly during the anesthetic time for the whole group; RR and T decreased for juveniles only. Variation between individuals was observed for HR, RR, and DAP. Volume reduction of drugs was achieved compared to previously reported anesthesia protocols. Induction time was fast (6.2 ± 10.4 min) and no tail prehension was seen. Recovery was prolonged (mean and SD). Physiologic parameters remained stable throughout. The protocol proved to be safe for the chemical immobilization of black-handed spider monkeys.

This report describes Schizangiella infections in colubrid and viperid snakes. A captive eastern ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) was presented for a large intraoral mass associated with the mandible. The mass was debulked and histologic examination revealed severe, granulomatous stomatitis with intralesional fungi exhibiting morphologic features consistent with Schizangiella serpentis. PCR and sequencing of affected tissues confirmed S. serpentis. Because of declining health, the ratsnake was euthanized and postmortem examination identified a disseminated S. serpentis infection involving the skeletal musculature, lung, kidney, mesentery, and mandible. A wild-caught timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) was presented for cutaneous lesions, weakness, and lethargy and later died. Postmortem examination revealed a mass-like structure in the esophagus characterized by high numbers of Schizangiella-like fungi associated with extensive granulomatous inflammation; the snake also had cutaneous mycosis suggestive of ophidiomycosis. This is the first report to document the unique morphologic features of S. serpentis in tissues and the presentation of schizangiellosis in snakes. Schizangiellosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for nodular lesions involving the oral cavity and/or the gastrointestinal tract of snakes.

Chytridiomycosis caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been documented in greater sirens (Siren lacertina) in the wild and in the pet trade. This study evaluated the use of terbinafine-impregnated implants for chytridiomycosis prophylaxis in greater sirens exposed to Bd. Implants were placed intracoelomically in both control (blank implant, n = 4) and treatment (24.5 mg of terbinafine implant, n = 4) groups. Sirens were exposed to Bd zoospores via 24-h immersion bath at 1 and 2 mon postimplant placement. Blood was collected monthly for plasma terbinafine levels, and skin swabs were collected weekly for Bd quantitative PCR. Animals with terbinafine implants had detectable concentrations of plasma terbinafine ranging from 17 to 102 ng/ml. Only one terbinafine-implanted animal had a peak concentration above the published minimum inhibitory concentration for terbinafine against Bd zoospores (63 ng/ml); however, it is unknown how plasma terbinafine concentrations relate to concentrations in the skin. There was no difference between the two treatment groups in clinical signs or Bd clearance rate, and no adverse effects from implants were observed. These findings indicate using intracoelomic drug implants for drug delivery in amphibians is safe; however, terbinafine efficacy in preventing Bd chytridiomycosis in sirens remains unclear. Further investigation of the use of intracoelomic implants and identification of effective drugs and doses in other amphibian species against Bd and other infectious diseases is warranted, as this may provide a practical method for long-term drug delivery in wildlife.

Annual health records were retrospectively analyzed for a colony of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) inhabiting St. Catherines Island, Georgia, USA to establish baseline hematological and serum biochemical parameters and determine sex- and age-related differences. Summarized complete blood count and serum biochemistry panel results are presented for 85 blood samples collected from 54 lemurs at annual health exams during 1998-2003. Within each of four age classes (infant, <1 yr; juvenile, 1-5 yr; adult, ≥ 6 yr), data were stratified and summarized based on sex. Lemur age was a significant positive predictor of mean corpuscular hemoglobin; absolute concentrations of neutrophils, monocytes, and band cells; serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, globulins, lipase, and total protein; and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity. Lemur age was a significant negative predictor of albumin:globulins ratio; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity; and serum concentrations of calcium, cholesterol, glucose, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and triglycerides. Neutrophil proportions increased with aging and lymphocyte proportions decreased with aging, particularly in females. Recent steep population declines of wild ring-tailed lemurs make their successful husbandry and medical care an increasingly pressing concern. These biomedical data will aid in clinical diagnosis and treatment of lemurs in human care, and support conservation efforts for this species.

Rodents are typically viewed as asymptomatic reservoirs for leptospirosis infection, as clinical disease in rodents is rarely described. This report includes three separate cases of leptospirosis in Patagonian maras (Dolichotis patagonum) over a 3-yr period in multiple locations within a single zoo. All three cases presented with varying clinical signs including lethargy, conjunctival hyperemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and presumed renal azotemia. Infection with Leptospira spp. was diagnosed antemortem by PCR on whole blood (n = 1, Case 1) or urine (n = 2, Cases 2 and 3). Leptospira antibody titers measured by serum microagglutination testing (n = 3) were elevated or increased in all three animals over a 1-3-wk period for Leptospira serovars Bratislava and Hardjo (Case 1) and Grippotyphosa (Case 2 and 3). Two of the three animals responded to treatment with penicillin and doxycycline and supportive care, whereas one animal did not respond to treatment. Postmortem findings in this individual included conjunctivitis, chemosis, dehydration, icterus, tricavitary serosanguinous effusions, necrotizing hepatitis, diffuse pulmonary congestion, and edema. Immunohistochemical examination identified scattered Leptospira organisms within hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells. A wild raccoon (Procyon lotor) at the institution tested positive by PCR on kidney tissue for the same Leptospira spp. serovar and was the suspected source of infection. This case series highlights the clinical importance of leptospirosis as a differential for Patagonian maras presenting with lethargy, ocular signs, acute hepatic disease, and azotemia.